With the fall semester in full swing, Buffs are still looking for ways to delay opening that crisp textbook to study for their first midterm. Have no fear. The fall 2011 TV season is fast approaching, and there are plenty of new shows and returning classics to fulfill your procrastination needs.
We’ve compiled a cheat sheet of the latest and greatest shows premiering in the coming weeks. Now that we’ve done the work, now you can go back to worrying about your paper that’s due tomorrow.
New Arrivals:
“American Horror Story” – premieres Wednesday Oct. 5, 8 p.m. MT on FX
Although the trailers for “American Horror Story” are vague, they promise one thing: a new and completely different concept in the primetime lineup. The show follows the Harmon family, who has moved into a haunted house in Los Angeles and the terrifying events that occur there after. With the premiere so close to Halloween, audiences are sure to get their scream on.
Zooey Deschanel makes her starring television debut as Jessica Day, an eccentric young woman who recently caught her boyfriend cheating and now must find a new apartment. She moves in with three single men who try to help her get back in the game. With Jess’s odd quirks, this move proves to be more difficult than her new roommates originally thought.
“Once Upon a Time” – premieres Sunday Oct. 23, 6 p.m. MT on ABC
In “Once Upon a Time,” fairy tales are not as far from reality as we would like to think. The character Emma Swan, played by Jennifer Morrison (previously of “House”) may be the lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. In order to free herself and her kind, Emma must accept who she is and fight the queen. The question is then becomes, can a no-nonsense woman like Emma accept fantasy as reality?
(Courtesy of The Guardian)
“Terra Nova” – premieres Monday Sept. 26, 6 p.m. MT on FOX
The only hope for the future for residents of Earth is to go 85 million years in the past. With the world overcrowded and most plant and animal life extinct, humanity’s only option for survival is to resettle Earth in the time of dinosaurs. Although the concept of the show thoroughly ignores the time-travel paradox, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer, viewers can be assured that production and effects will be high quality.
“The X Factor” – premieres Wednesday Sept. 21, 6 p.m. MT on FOX
“The X Factor” promises a wider range of competitiveness than other reality singing contests with a five million dollar recording contract on the line. The show stars two-thirds of the original “American Idol” judge panel, with reality’s favorite bad boy, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. Judges alongside them include record executive L.A. Reid and the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, performer Nicole Scherzinger. “The X Factor” hopes to fill the eight-month void that “American Idol” leaves every May.
Also watch for: “2 Broke Girls” (CBS), “Charlie’s Angels” (ABC), “Grimm” (NBC), “Pan Am” (ABC), “The Playboy Club” (NBC), “Revenge” (ABC), “The Ringer” (The CW), “Whitney” (NBC)
Returning Favorites:
(Courtesy of Popcrunch)
“Dexter” – premieres Sunday Oct. 2, 7 p.m. MT on Showtime
It has been a year since the fifth season finale, and “Dexter” fans are finally being rewarded for their patience. Season six debuts in less than a month, and teasers foreshadow Dexter’s return to his old self.
Luke Ewing, a junior philosophy major, has prepared for the new season by watching trailers online, and said he likes what he sees.
“Judging by the teasers, Dex is going to get back to his old, remorseless self without familial distractions in the way,” Ewing said. “This possibility makes me… I guess the word would be ‘giddy’.”
(Courtesy of TVoverMind)
“Glee” – premieres Tuesday Sept. 20, 6 p.m. MT on FOX
“Glee” is back with its poppy tunes and upbeat storyline. Although the “New Directions” lost at Nationals, they are ready to get back on track.
Of course, Sue is up to her usual antics, starting off the season by launching her campaign for Congress.
With so much in store for the ensemble, Jennifer Schulte, a junior integrative physiology major, thinks that if there is one show to watch this semester, “Glee” would be it.
“With my busy schedule, ‘Glee’ is the only show worth keeping up with,” Schulte said.
“The Office” – premieres Thursday Sept. 22, 7 p.m. MT on NBC
After Michael Scott punched the clock for the last time this past season, the producers of the show teased viewers with a two-part season finale chronicling the search for his replacement. After months of waiting, “The Office” aficionados will finally know who the new boss is when he (or she) is revealed in the 8th season premiere.
“The Simpsons” – premieres Sunday Sept. 25, 6 p.m. MT on FOX
Are you Pro-Nedna or No-Nedna? In the 23rd season premiere of the show, avid fans will find out whether or not America wants Ned Flanders and Edna Krabappel to be the newest couple in the series. In the season finale last spring, viewers were asked to vote either for or against the couple, and the results will be revealed in the premiere.
Also watch for: “Bones” (FOX), “Community” (NBC), “Desperate Housewives” (ABC), “Fringe” (FOX), “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS), “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” (FX), “The League” (FX)
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Avalon Jacka at Avalon.Jacka@colorado.edu.
